Portable Antennas

last updated 1 September 2024.

Discussions about “portable antennas” often get bogged down because there are many different types of portable operation, and what works well for one might not be at all suitable for another. “Portable” might range from very light antenna for backpacking to whatever can be carried in a large truck and erected in a day by a dozen workers without needing a concrete foundation. So we will discuss specific antenna requirements for different types of portable operation, as well as some general notes that apply to types of portable antennas.

General considerations for portable antennas

Masts, Trees, and other temporary supports

Casual portable antennas, for an afternoon in the park or a camping trip

Backpack Antennas, where light weight and small size are critical.

Field Day Antennas, with more emphasis on optimizing performance, and perhaps longer setup times.

RV / Caravan Antennas, especially those that are nearly self-contained.

Portable Dipole Kits. Simple, convenient and adaptable.

Multiband Antennas.

Ropes and other accessories

Tips for Portable Antennas

Vertical Antennas and the impacts of ground conductivity.

Site Selection. Choosing a good site.